HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-2023 EDA MinutesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Public Safety Building—Training Room, 825 41st Ave
NE
Monday, April 03, 2023
5:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:06 pm by Acting Chair James.
Members present:Gerry Herringer; Kt Jacobs; Rachel James; Amada Márquez-Simula; Justice Spriggs
Members absent: Connie Buesgens; Marlaine Szurek
Staff Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager;Sara Ion, City Clerk;Mitchell Forney, Community
Development Coordinator; Alicia Howe, Administrative Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT AGENDA
1.Approve March 6, 2023 EDA Meeting Minutes
2.Approve Financial Reports and Payment of Bills of February 2023
Motion by Jacobs,seconded by Spriggs to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.All ayes of
present. MOTION PASSED.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
MINNESOTA, APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023
AND THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023.
WHEREAS,the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the “EDA”) is required by
Minnesota Statutes Section 469.096, Subd. 9, to prepare a detailed financial statement which
shows all receipts and disbursements, their nature, the money on hand, the purposes to which
the money on hand is to be applied, the EDA's credits and assets and its outstanding liabilities;
and
WHEREAS,said Statute also requires the EDA to examine the statement and treasurer's vouchers
or bills and if correct, to approve them by resolution and enter the resolution in its records; and
WHEREAS,the financial statement for the month of February 2023 has been reviewed by the
EDA Commission; and
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WHEREAS, the EDA has examined the financial statement and finds it to be acceptable as to both
form and accuracy; and
WHEREAS, the EDA Commission has other means to verify the intent of Section 469.096, Subd. 9,
including but not limited to Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, Annual City approved
Budgets, Audits and similar documentation; and
WHEREAS,financial statements are held by the City’s Finance Department in a method outlined
by the State of Minnesota’s Records Retention Schedule,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Heights
Economic Development Authority that it has examined the referenced financial statement
including the check history, and they are found to be correct, as to form and content; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the financial statement is acknowledged and received and the check
history as presented in writing is approved for payment out of proper funds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution is made a part of the permanent records of the
Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority.
ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Passed this 3rd day of April, 2023
Offered by:Jacobs
Seconded by:Spriggs
Roll Call:All ayes of present, MOTION PASSED.
Vice President
Attest:
Secretary
BUSINESS ITEMS
3.2022 Outstanding Business of the Year Award
Forney reported on November 7, 2022, the EDA approved the establishment of the
Business of the Year Award. This award set out to recognize local businesses for
noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contributions to the community, and
significant community service efforts. The criteria for nomination are based on a variety of
notable accomplishments, such as being a long-standing business within the City of
Columbia Heights reaching a milestone year, a major business expansion, remodel, exterior
renovation, landscaping improvements, or relocation to a new facility within the City,
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environmentally friendly or sustainability-related initiatives or improvements, a major
contribution to the community, or other major accomplishments or contributions worthy
of recognition. However, it is important to note that the EDA reserves the right to make no
selection if nominations do not meet the standard of recognition.
Forney stated this year, the EDA received two nominations for Community Grounds and
Rapid Graphics. Both nominations were submitted by communications staff members due
to the lack of participation in the first year of the program.
Forney mentioned Community Grounds has played an instrumental role in supporting city
events. For example, during the City's Snow Blast Event, Community Grounds provided hot
coffee and cocoa, while during Truck or Treat, they hosted a table with various games
Additionally, Community Grounds has generously offered hundreds of cups of free hot
beverages at City events and has provided their business as a gathering space by hosting
free weekly events such as trivia and game nights.
Forney noted Rapid Graphics has partnered with the City for decades. Rapid Graphics is a
community focused locally owned business that has been on Central Avenue for nearly 50
years. Recently the business was covered in multiple local newspapers for its inclusive
store front holiday display. Which had placards and small displays for Christianity,
Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. They also included various placards acknowledging
different cultural groups.
Forney explained, if selected as the Business of the Year, the winning business will be
honored with a plaque during a brief presentation at a City Council Meeting, marketing of
the achievement at City events,on City reader board signs, and a recognition article posted
on the City's website and newsletter.
Forney stated the 2023 Business of the Year Award is in its inaugural year, and while staff
acknowledges that participation was limited, they believe that as the program continues,
the award will become increasingly coveted by the local business community.
Questions/Comments from Members:
Jacobs stated she would like to see Rapid Graphics become Business of the Year since they
have been around for a long time and have done a lot in the City.
Márquez-Simula agreed and recommended Rapid Graphics.
James commented that both Community Grounds and Rapid Graphics are worthy and she
is thankful they are both in the community. She added Rapid Graphics is very deserving
since it is reaching a milestone year and hopes Community Grounds can be nominated in
the future.
Márquez-Simula agreed.
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Herringer stated anyone who has been in the City for 50 years deserves recognition and
added he would be in favor of selecting Rapid Graphics.
Spriggs agreed and added they are both deserving.
James asked if there was anything that needed to be added to the nomination that she
could learn from.
Márquez Simula stated all of their employees are full time,there are 4-5 employees,and
they have been there for a long time. She added it is a testament to the business for
keeping employees so long and investing in them full time.
Jacobs added that they have persevered through the decades, even though all of the
changes in the printing industry in the last 50 years.
Márquez-Simula expressed her gratitude for Community Grounds for the support they
have given to City events. She added that she is excited for this to be an annual award and
for more businesses to be awarded and nominated in the future.
Motion by Jacobs, seconded by Herringer to approve Rapids Graphics as the 2022 Columbia
Heights Business of the Year.All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED.
Questions after the motion:
Márquez-Simula asked what the timeline was for Rapid Graphics to be notified. Forney
stated he would coordinate with the communications team and would follow up with her.
Márquez-Simula stated it would be nice to know in case Bourgeois would announce it
during the City Council meeting on Monday.Bourgeois stated it should work as long as
they can get the plaque and notify Rapid Graphics.Forney added they were hoping to
honor the Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year at the same time in May.Márquez-
Simula asked if they could still announce it during the City Council meeting. Forney stated
they could.
4.Façade Improvement Grant Report Yuli’s Salon, 4915 Central Ave
Forney presented the Yuli’s Salon 2023 Façade Improvement Grant application for their
new location at 4915 Central Avenue NE. The salon seeks to add a sign to their storefront
and has obtained two bids, with the lowest being $6,977.63. As this cost is eligible for
reimbursement of $3,489, Community Development Staff recommends funding the project
in full. The addition of Yuli’s Salon will bring increased foot traffic to the area and benefit
other nearby businesses. Renderings of the proposed sign and bids were included in the
application.
Forney added regarding site cameras, Staff will confirm the commitment of Yuli’s Salon to
install cameras. Furthermore, Railwerks Brewing has expressed interest in installing
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cameras and staff may facilitate the coordination with both of these businesses later in the
year.
Questions/Comments from Members:
James asked why pages 45 and 46 of the agenda packet were blank.Forney explained it is
for the legal description of the property and improvement and they will be filled in prior to
their execution.
Spriggs asked where they were relocating from. Forney stated they are not relocating but
are starting a new business.
James stated it is nice to see new development come in.
Motion by Spriggs, seconded by Márquez Simula to waive the reading of Resolution 2023-
13, there being ample copies available to the public.All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED.
Motion by Spriggs, seconded by Jacobs to adopt Resolution 2023-13, a resolution approving
the form and substance of the façade improvement grant agreement, and approving
authority staff and officials to take all actions necessary to enter the authority into a façade
improvement grant agreement with Yuli’s Salon.All ayes of present. MOTION PASSED.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
MINNESOTA, APPROVING THE FORM AND SUBSTANCE OF THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT
AGREEMENT, AND APPROVING AUTHORITY STAFF AND OFFICIALS TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS
NECESSARY TO ENTER THE AUTHORITY INTO FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT AGREEMENT
WITH YULI’S SALON
WHEREAS,the City of Columbia Heights (the “City”) and the Columbia Heights Economic
Development Authority (the “Authority”) have collaborated to create a certain Façade
Improvement Grant Program (the “Program”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to guidelines established for the Program, the Authority is to award and
administer a series of grants to eligible commercial property owners and/or tenants for the
purposes of revitalizing existing store fronts, increasing business vitality and economic
performance, and decreasing criminal activity along Central Avenue Northeast, in the City’s
Central Business district, pursuant to a Façade Improvement Grant Agreement with various
property owners and/or tenants; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the Program, the City is to coordinate a surveillance camera monitoring
program by placing surveillance cameras on some of the storefronts that are part of the Program
for the purposes of improving public safety in and around the Central Business District; and
WHEREAS,the Authority has thoroughly reviewed copies of the proposed form of the Grant
Agreement.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due consideration,
the Authority
1.approves the form and substance of the grant agreement, and approves the
Authority entering into the agreement with Yuli’s Salon
2.that the City Manager, as the Executive Director of the Authority, is hereby
authorized, empowered, and directed for and on behalf of the Authority to enter into
the grant agreement.
3.that the City Manager, as the Executive Director of the Authority, is hereby
authorized and directed to execute and take such action as he/she deems necessary
and appropriate to carry out the purpose of the foregoing resolution.
ORDER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Passed this 3rd day of April, 2023
Offered by:Spriggs
Seconded by:Jacobs
Roll Call:All ayes of present, MOTION PASSED.
Vice President
Attest:
Secretary
Questions/Comments from Members:
Herringer asked what was happening at the Asia location. Forney stated Staff is in contact with the new
business owner. They currently own Maya Cuisine in Northeast Minneapolis and purchased and
contracted the building from the previous owners,who are currently renovating it for a Mexican or
South American type restaurant. Forney stated he does not know if they are going to integrate the
pickup window yet but they are aware of the façade improvement grant.
Forney gave an update stating the Columbia Heights’ramp near Fairview is finishing the new elevator.
He added they had the State inspection and are working on having a communication line for the phone
in the elevator before it is open to the public.He added as of last week, the EDA is the owner of the
two buildings; 8414 49th Avenue, and 4243 5th Avenue.He noted Habitat for Humanity is excited and
would like to come before the Council and bring a designer to the EDA to speak with the
Commissioners.In addition, Habitat for Humanity would like to speak with surrounding residents of the
building to get their feedback.
Forney noted the new City Planner would begin next week.Márquez Simula asked who it was. Forney
stated it was Andrew Boucher.
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Márquez-Simula stated she had a photo from Jimmy’s with a large puddle near the parking ramp. She
noted he was concerned for the building. Forney stated in the past they had issues with leaks and
drains and would have Public Works go out and fix the issue.
James asked when they were planning to remove the house. Forney stated they would have bids as
soon as possible. He added they are hoping to do both buildings at the same time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Márquez Simula,seconded by Jacobs, to adjourn the meeting at 5:21 pm. All ayes. MOTION
PASSED.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Alicia Howe, Recording Secretary